False perception of visual verticality in multiple sclerosis

Authors: Crevits, L.; Venhovens, J.; Vanoutrive, J.; Debruyne, J.

Source: European Journal of Neurology, Volume 14, Number 2, February 2007 , pp. 228-232(5)

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Abstract:

We wanted to investigate to what extent patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), not complaining of dizziness or disequilibrium, may have problems with the estimation of gravidity. Therefore, we studied the static `subjective visual vertical' (SVV), a test that is thought to reflect mainly otolith function. Further, we correlated SVV measures with the degree of disease disability. A group of outpatients was compared with a group of age- and sex-matched healthy volunteers. The deviations of SVV in patients were significantly larger than in controls. Overall, SVV was abnormal in 48% of individual patients. There was a significant correlation between SVV and the global disability score. The same held true for correlation with the subscores of brainstem and cerebellar complaints. The SVV test proved to be a simple method that was well tolerated by the patients. It can be considered a complementary otoneurological tool for evaluating MS patients. Further, these findings suggest that misperception of the verticality parallels the disability in MS patients.

Keywords: disability; multiple sclerosis; otolith dysfunction; screening; subjective visual vertical

Document Type: Short communication

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-1331.2006.01636.x

Publication date: 2007-02-01